By Nitin Gairola
Dehradun, 26 May: I had recently come to Doon for a few days to celebrate my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary and it was a unanimous choice in the household that we would celebrate it with our close family (those living in Doon) at the Taj. This relatively new 5-star property is in Malsi on the scenic Mussoorie-Dehradun Road and opened its doors to guests on 20 February 2025.
Taj in Dehradun.
As many may know, I am a Doonite through and through. This is where I was born and this is the place I spent all my summers, at my grandparent’s home. I know many who grew up here can relate to that Doon of the past, which is somehow waning and vaporising from memory. But it is not always about nostalgia alone since we also want our lives to improve (which I realise is itself a relative term). So, the bright side of the story of Doon is that the town has been the capital of Uttarakhand for 27 years now and today it has all the conveniences and commerce of a metropolis. While a lot of it is not an unmitigated boon, I could never imagine a brand like the Taj would one day come to our once sleepy little town. It has happened after a quarter of a century post it becoming a capital.
And this ‘Taj Mussoorie Foothills, Dehradun’ (its official name) is no less than any other Taj around the country. It carries the same charm & elegance, the same hospitality & service and the same scale & grandeur. I must say the food is delectable too and those who follow my world travels know that I love hot & cold deserts, but I also loved the hot & cold desserts at the Taj.
The biggest reason for me to pen down my thoughts on the ‘Taj Mussoorie Foothills’ is because of the happiness I saw on my parents’ faces on their golden jubilee on 24 May and also the happiness on the faces of my relatives. What else can one ask for when one is in good old Doon to celebrate a significant date?
